Full Guide to Import Food Packaging Film Agency Services

Full Operational Guide for Import Food Packaging Film Agency Services

I have encountered the following case before: A client imported a batch of food packaging films from Japan,but failed to confirm in advance whether the films complied with China National Standard GB 4806.7-2016 for Food Contact Plastic Materials and Articles.As a result,the commodity inspection authority required supplementary component testing after the goods arrived at the port,incurring an extra 3 days of port demurrage and testing fees.This is a typical operational error of "valuing documents over pre-inspection".As an agent of Zhongshitong,we always take "compliance first" as the core principle when handling imported food packaging films.

1.Customs Valuation: Avoid Price Declaration Risks

The first step for food packaging film import is customs valuation.In 2026,customs will apply stricter valuation standards for food contact material commodities,with particular focus on the deviation rate between declared price and average international market price (usually no more than ±5%).For example,a batch of BOPP food packaging films imported from South Korea was declared at a price 8% lower than the average international market price in the same period.The customs questioned the authenticity of the transaction price,and the valuation was finally completed after submitting documents including the certificate of origin and third-party price assessment report.

We recommend that: 1.Check the consistency between the certificate of origin and commercial invoice in advance,with focus on confirming whether the FOB price includes the actual cost of the packaging films; 2.For imports from RCEP member states,apply for FORM R Certificate of Origin first to enjoy tariff reduction and exemption; 3.Avoid repeated calculation of air freight and insurance premium in declaration.In 2026,the customs has a simplified valuation policy for food packaging films imported via cross-border e-commerce (≤RMB 5,000 per batch),so you need to communicate with the customs classification department in advance.

2.Commodity Inspection Pre-inspection: Key Compliance Points for Food Contact Materials

Food packaging films belong to "food contact materials" and must comply with China National Standard GB 4806.7-2016 for Food Contact Plastic Materials and Articles.The following points shall be confirmed with priority during pre-inspection:

• Material composition: Confirm whether food additives such as plasticizers and colorants are contained.A component test report issued by SGS or Intertek is required;
• Printing ink: If there are printed patterns,confirm whether the ink complies with China National Standard GB 4806.12-2016 for Food Contact Materials and Articles: Printing Inks;
• Special requirements: For packaging films imported from the EU,an additional test report for SVHC substances under EU REACH regulations is required.

A batch of food packaging films imported by a client from Germany was rejected by commodity inspection because the label did not carry the wording "for food contact".After coordination by our company,the rectification was completed within 3 working days by submitting supplementary label translations and adding Chinese warning labels.

3.Animal and Plant Quarantine: Special Requirements for Food Packaging Films with Wooden Packaging

If food packaging films use wooden pallets or wooden supporting materials,confirm in advance whether they are imported from RCEP member states (such as Australia and New Zealand).Goods from these countries can be released directly with a Phytosanitary Certificate.For goods from other countries,they must comply with the requirements of the List of Quarantine Pests for Entry Plants.In 2026,a new quarantine requirement for red imported fire ants is added,so you need to check the IPPC mark of foreign suppliers in advance.

In actual operation,we found that some Southeast Asian suppliers often omit the quarantine certificate on the grounds that "plastic packaging films contain no wooden materials",resulting in the goods being detained by the port quarantine authority after arrival.The correct practice is to require foreign suppliers to provide a "Wooden Packaging Quarantine Declaration" attached with the IPPC mark number.Through the green channel with Shanghai Animal and Plant Quarantine Bureau,Zhongshitong can shorten the quarantine time for such goods from the regular 7 working days to 3 working days.

4.Import License and Chinese Label Filing

If food packaging films are used for pre-packaged foods (such as mooncakes,chocolates,etc.),two filings are required: GACC registration of overseas manufacturers (Decree No.248) and Chinese label filing for food contact materials.In 2026,GACC added the requirement of "Production Process Commitment Letter",so it is necessary to check in advance whether the process flow chart of foreign manufacturers complies with the General Hygienic Specification for Production of Food Contact Materials and Articles.

In the label filing process,the most common problem is that food additives in the ingredient list do not comply with China National Standard GB 2760-2024.For example,the packaging films imported by a client contained butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA),but failed to indicate the specific use as required by GB 2760.The client was ordered to rectify by the market regulatory authority and incurred a fine of RMB 50,000.Our suggestion is to entrust a third-party laboratory in Shanghai to conduct component analysis of the packaging films in advance to ensure that the types and dosages of additives comply with the latest national standards.

5.Risk Warning and Cost Control

Three types of risks need to be guarded against in import food packaging film agency services: 1.Exchange rate fluctuation: The fluctuation range of RMB against Euro will expand to ±3% in 2026.It is recommended to adopt the "exchange rate lock + installment payment" model; 2.Hidden costs: Document exchange fee (RMB 300-800 per shipment),demurrage charge (starting from RMB 500 per day),and delayed declaration fee (0.05% per day).Through "document pre-inspection + electronic declaration",Zhongshitong can reduce document exchange time by 80%; 3.Policy change: If the EU upgrades its plastic restriction order for plastic packaging films,you need to sign a "Supplementary Agreement on Environmental Compliance" with foreign suppliers in advance.

I once assisted a food enterprise in Shanghai with the following case: The food packaging films imported by the client from Indonesia were rejected because the "use by date" was not marked.It was the peak period of Ramadan,and the port inspection efficiency dropped by 50%.Through cross-region customs declaration (at Ningbo Port) and submission of rectification plan in advance,we finally completed customs clearance within 72 hours,saving RMB 12,000 in port demurrage fees.

6.Zhongshitong Value-Added Services for 2026

Relying on Shanghai’s status as an international trade center,Zhongshitong provides: 1.Cross-region declaration at national ports: Support "one-place registration,nationwide customs clearance" at 12 ports including Shanghai,Ningbo and Shenzhen; 2.Global agency network: Collaborate with agents in Singapore and Hamburg Port to realize "pre-inspection completed before cargo arrival at port"; 3.Exchange loss hedging: Cooperate with Bank of China to provide "cross-border RMB settlement + exchange rate lock" services to reduce exchange rate fluctuation risks.

Choosing a professional agent is not for "saving trouble",but for "avoiding pitfalls".Food packaging film import seems simple,but actually involves 12 regulatory links.Any mistake in details may lead to delay of the whole batch of goods.Zhongshitong’s 20 years of agency experience tells us that prior compliance arrangement,document pre-inspection and risk prediction are the core competitiveness for food packaging film import.